35. The Pesticide Program in Central America: The USAID/EPA
Agreement and Cooperation between PAHO and the EPA on POPs

by Ms. Sarita Hoyt

 

THE USAID/USEPA AGREEMENT

 

THE OBJECTIVE:

TO BRING NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS INTO LINE TO ENSURE HIGHER LEVELS OF PROTECTION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SENSITIVE ECOSYSTEMS.

1) TO STRENGTHEN MECHANISMS FOR REGULATION AND ENFORCEMENT

2) TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND TRAINING

3) TO FACILITATE ACCESS TO TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND TO ASSIST IN INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

 

BACKGROUND ON CENTRAL AMERICAN PROGRAM: 1991 - 1997

1) EVALUATION OF NATIONAL PESTICIDE REGULATION SYSTEMS

2) DEVELOPMENT OF A REGIONAL PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT AND ELIMINATION OF OBSOLETE PESTICIDES

3) DESIGN OF A PROGRAM TO HARMONIZE SYSTEMS FOR LEGISLATION AND CONTROL OF THE ENVIRONMENT

4) DEVELOPMENT OF ANALYTICAL LABORATORY CAPACITY

  

ACTIVITIES PROPOSED FOR THE PROGRAM IN CENTRAL AMERICA: 1998-1999

1) COORDINATE REGIONAL EFFORTS TO DEVELOP A REGIONAL SYSTEM OF LEGISLATION ON PESTICIDES

2) DEVELOP NATIONAL PROFILES ON THE MANAGEMENT OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES

3) INFORMATION EXCHANGE AND MANAGEMENT

4) DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL TRAINING FOR MANAGEMENT AND ELIMINATION OF OBSOLETE PESTICIDES

5) SUPPORT FOR SAFETY OF AGRICULTURAL FOODS, PROGRAMS FOR EXPORT OF AGRICULTURAL FOODS, AND PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP

  

COOPERATION BETWEEN PAHO AND EPA ON POPs THE OBJECTIVE:

TO PROMOTE THE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION AND IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING IN THE REGION CONCERNING THE RISKS TO HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATED WITH THE PRODUCTION, USE, AND EMISSION OF PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS

1) CASES STUDIES: RISK ASSESSMENT AND RISK MANAGEMENT

NICARAGUA, COSTA RICA, COLOMBIA, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

2) LIST OF TECHNICAL ADVISERS